Documenting Erasure in High School History

This recent vote by the Texas State Board of Education will likely have significant consequences for the language and material covered in high school history classes, nationwide. Apparently Texas is the largest consumer of the textbook industry, so the curriculum they adopt tends to become the de facto Federal curriculum.

The point which we frequently make, namely, that the culturization of political issues marches hand in hand with the “naturalization” of capitalism is here captured in surprisingly “clean” terms. Amongst the many significant amendments the board has recommended that “capitalism” be replaced by the term “free market.” Other such truly strange and startling decisions include dropping the radical Thomas Jefferson from the list of the U.S.’s “intellectual founders.”

This is important to document. It is also a good example of a case where, since the extreme right has power, one cannot afford to not present a strong show of solidarity with Liberals who would resist such potentially damaging propaganda.

Related Posts

1. Outline for a Work on Psychology and Psychoanalytic History
2. Stray Observations on “The Taking of Pelham 123″
3. The Good in Mass Turning To The G.O.P.?